Finger stall and splint set



Get. 12, 1937. J. D. LANGDON 2,095,603

FINGER STALL AND SPLINT SET Filed Aug. 15, 1955 2 Sheet$Shee'h 1 l l I 1 x r I I a i a I-B IZ F l x I0 5 F G z r. E 6 I IN VENTOR Oct. 12, 1937. J. D. LANGDON FINGER STALL AND SPLINT SET Filed Aug. 13, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BY I I ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 12, 1937 FINGER STALL AND SPLINT SET Jesse D. Langdon, La Canada, Calif.

Application August 13 13 Claims.

My invention relates to a finger stall "and splint set, particularly of thetype for use in treating and dressing hand and finger injuries.

The objects and purposes of my invention are as follows:

The primary object in my invention is to provide a finger stall and splint arrangement adapted to hold surgical dressings in place on fingers or hands, or both, without the use of bandages external to the stall and splint.

A further object in my invention is to provide a finger stall adapted to be automatically held in place by frictional adhesion when made of comparatively stiif material, such as metal, semihard rubber, hard rubber, papier-mach, or sim:

ilar material.

A still further object in my invention is to pro vide a finger stall and splint arrangement adapted to be mechanically locked into operative position.

Another object in my invention is to provide a finger stall and splint arrangement adapted to the purpose of being used for retaining band or cap for a splint member surrounding-a finger, or other anatomical part adapted to be sur gically dressed in a similar manner.

A still further object in my invention'is to provide a chemically treated dressing material-adapted to be conveniently applied and held in operative position by sole means of the finger stall or splint arrangement comprising myinvention.

Another object in my invention is to provide a finger stall and splint set especially adapted to be spun orstamped out of metal, particularly materials which will radiate heat, such as aluminum, German silver, etc. A still further object in my invention is to provide armored protection in a finger stall, splint, or both, which will retain dressings or bandages independent of external bandages to retain the stall or splint in operative position.

Other and further objects in my invention will appear as the description proceeds, illustrated by the drawings which it is to be specifically understood are used for the purpose of illustration only and the structure may be changed within the limit of the appended claims according to the contingencies of use.

Of the drawings like numbers indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a cup-shaped finger stall.

Fig. 2 illustrates the palm of a hand with finger stall and splint set applied in various ways as separate units.

Fig. 3 shows a fragmentary portion of a finger with a slotted finger stall or cap and paper dressing in cross section.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of a finger stall and splint including a retaining band attached around the splint. I I

, 1935, Serial No. 35,978

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a coiled metal stall and splint showing in dotted lines the relative position of the cup-shaped stall or cap.

Fig. 6 is an end view of a coiled finger stall and splint.

Fig. '7 is a fragmented elevation of the outside, or external side, of a splint extension.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of a coiled finger stall attached to a fragmentary portion of the splint extension as of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a diagram representing a paper finger stall folded to serve as a dressing.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal elevation of the external side of a slotted strip of sheet metal adapted to be bent into a circle.

Fig. 11 is an edge View as of Fig. 10, partly in longitudinal section through the slotted portion.

Fig. 12 is a diagram representing the back view of a hand with the entire finger stall and splint set applied as a unit on one digit and separately various ways on other digits.

Fig. 13 represents a fragmentary portion of the splint extension and coiled splint greatly enlarged to illustrate the detailed structure.

Fig. 1 illustrates a finger stall, preferably made of aluminum because of the lightness and rapid radiating qualities of that metal, friction slots 2 at spaced intervals around stall I forms expansion panels 3, adapted to be expanded sufficiently by the compression of a dressing on the surgically treated part, exerting sufiicient spring tension to hold said finger stall I in applied position due to the flexibility of panels 3 because of friction slots 2. A vent hole 2a is located in the end of said stall I.

Fig. 2 is a view of the palm of a hand, showing applied thereto the finger stall I as of Fig. 3, with various alternative forms and attachments as of Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 and Fig. 11.

Fig. 3 illustrates the fragmentary portion of a finger 0 showing stall I in cross section, together with paper dressing 4 as of Fig. 9, said dressing 4 being compressed against the finger C. Due to the slots 2 in stall I, thus forming panels 3, the metal of stall I is adapted to bulge when the panels 3 are forced apart by expansive pressure of dressing 4, orby the swelling of the surgically treated part. Thus the tension of panels 3 serve the purpose of holding said surgical dressing 4 and stall I in position when applied as illustrated Fig. 4 is a view of stall I with two straps 5 attached through friction slots 2. Sliding adjusting buckles BB on straps 5 serve as a retaining means in combination with adjustable snap ring I, adapted to be contracted or expanded for adjustment around a finger or other anatomical part and held in position by means of a hook portion 8 inserted through slots 9.

' Fig. 5 shows a flexibility coiled combined finger lB is provided with tongues ll] adapted to fit in corresponding slots l2 and lock through the same, as of splint l l and the sectional view thereof as of Fig. 8.

Fig. 6 is an end view illustrating coiled structure of splint or stall lB, adjustable to variable diametersbecause the ends are adapted'to lap as at D.

Fig. 7 is a view showing an adjustable splint attachment ll having slots l2 formed by perforating and grooving the material in the form of a channel or leading groove adapted to take tongues it, said tongues i?) being inserted through slots [2 and locked in position by the shoulders at the base of said tongues it. The spring tension against the ends of tongues lll'causes the pressure of shoulders E-E-E against the intervening material as of F-F--F between slots l2 coacting with tongues it to interlock the splint attachment H and adjustably coiled stall andsplint I'B to form a single unit.

The adjustable splint attachment I! has a transversely extended T portion l3 at one end thereof having retaining band slots l4 formed to permit the passage of the retaining band 15 applied for operative adjustment by buckle [6, or the adjustable snap ring 7' made in enlarged dimensions may be used to encircle an anatomical member.

Fig. 8 shows a fragment of splint ll in section as at line X with tongues l of coiled splint i V B inserted through slots l2 of splint ll,shou1- ders E-E-E of tongues it being impinged against material FFF of splint attachment l l. Splint attachment ll and coiled stall and splint lB may be moved and interlocked in various positions of adjustment.

The topmost slot l2 of splint ll may be moved to a position coinciding with the lower tongue ll] of coiled stall and splint l-B to increase the aggregate combined length of the assembled 'relationship of splint l! and coiled finger stall and splint -43 as compared with the position illustrated in Fig. 2. Thus, in order to adjust the as.- sembly length, it is only necessary to interlock more or less of the tongues ll) and the slots i2. It will be noted that the shoulder E of tongues iii are disposed substantially at right angles to the longitudinal plane of said tongues lil.

Fig. 9 is a view of a folded, chemically impregnated collapsible paper dressing adapted to fit beneath either stall I or stall and splint lB, said dressing of chemically impregnated paper will serve the double purpose of a styptic as well as an antiseptic dressing. Said paper stall 4 is preferably made of crepe paper and folded in such a manner as to give a maximum amount of resiliency, as well as provide air spaces in the dressing.

Fig. 10 is a detail of snap ring 1 before being formed into a circle, having slots 9 therein, a hook 8 at one end thereof, and a turn-back portion M for protection against the end of hook 8 when inserted through slots 9.

Fig. 11 is an edge View of snap ring '7 partly in section at YY showing the various parts of the finger stall and splint set comprising my invention Which may be used separately or together, as follows: Finger stall I may be applied over chemically impregnated paper stall d, which is first applied to wounded or injured part, the friction slots 2 and bulge panels 3 serving to hold the dressing and stall in applied operative position as of Fig. 3.

Fig. 12 shows slotted cap I attached to wrist band l5 by means of the adjustable attachment 5. The index finger is encased by coiled finger stall and splint lb held in position by retaining band I. The middle finger shows the entire assembly of the finger stall and splint set in attached position, including the splint extension attachment ll held in position by wrist band l5 and interlocked with coiled finger stall and splint lb surrounded by retaining band i and capped by slotted finger stall l. The fourth finger utilizes the tension of panel 3 of stall l to retain a dressing 4, while the little finger is encased in coiled finger stall and splint lb surrounded at the bottom by retaining band I and capped by slotted stall l. An adjustable strap 5 made adjustable by buckle B on each side of the finger serves to connect the retaining band i and the cap I.

Fig. 13 is a greatly enlarged longitudinal section of interlocking fragmentary portions of coiled stall and splint member lB and splint extension ll cut at the intersecting lines as of XX, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. This shows the depression G in the material of member I l, forming a guiding groove at one side of the slot l2 to guide the tongues ll! of coiled member lB through the slots [2 of member ll. The tongues l8 riding through the depressed grooves G causes the material of lB constituting the tongue lll to impinge part of the base of said tongue I!) thus preventing longitudinal movement between members lB and ll. When tongues ID are inserted through slots l2 the stem or base of the tongues I0 is impinged on one side by the depressed groove G while the opposite side of tongues 10 impingethe material of member ii, the grooves G being the same Width as tongues it fitting snugly through slots comprises means to interlock the two members H and lB against both lateral and longitudinal movement. Spaces FF are formed by cutting out material of lB to form tongues Ill.

The combination of a flexible, coiled combined finger stall and splint lB and adjustable splint attachment ll permits of variable adjusted lengths or distances between the end of stall or splint lB and the extended portion l3 of adjustable splint attachment il. The tongues IQ of combined stall and splint lB extending through the slots l2 of adjustable splint attachment I I the material of which serves to impinge that portion of the tongue l6 extending through a slot l2 in splint II to lock the combined stall and splint l-B in operative position the shoulder of tongue lil prevents either lateral or longitudinal movement of the relative parts of the combined attachment.

When band l5 has been buckled in operative position it will be seen that any dressing loosely applied beneath the finger stall and splint lB and adjustable splint attachment ll will be held securely in position.

It will be noted that the adjustable splint attachment ll may either be applied to the palm or back of a hand. When applied to the palm of a hand, said adjustable splint attachment may be secured or bent in such a position as to support the metacarpal bones in case of fracture, the finger stall and splint l-B acting as a suitable anchor to aid in the application of the splint for this use.

By the use of an adhesive cap on the end of a finger in case of phalangial fractures, especially for comminuted breaks. The open end of stall I applied over splint and stall IB will serve as an aperture through which an attachment to said adhesive cap may be drawn to stretch the finger according to the contingencies of the case.

Having described my invention, and the application and use thereof, I claim:

1. An adjustably coiled finger stall and splint having tongues attached thereto, a splint attachment having slots therein, means for attaching and locking said adjustable finger stall and splint in operative position together with said adjustable splint attachment having slots therein adapted to take said tongues attached to-said adjustably coiled finger stall and splint.

2. A finger stall-and-splint set, comprising an adjustably coiled finger stall and splint, an adjustable splint attachment for changing the aggregate length of said adjustably coiled finger stall and splint and said splint attachment, a vented cap to encompassone end of said adjustably coiled finger stall and splint, together with a snap ring arranged to adjustably surround said adjustably coiled finger stall and splint to retain a dressing of chemically impregnated paper and hold said dressing in position of treatment, said splint attachment being adjustably connected to said splint and stall.

3. A finger stall and splint set comprising a coiled finger stall, a cap on the end of said coiled finger stall, said coiled finger stall lapped for adjustment, an adjustable splint attachment to interlock with said coiled finger stall interlocking means between said adjustable splint attachment and said coiled finger stall, an adjustable snap ring around said coiled finger stall, said finger stall adapted to hold a chemically impregnated treatment in operative position.

4. A cup-shaped finger stall having longitudinal friction slots therethrough, said friction slots being perforated longitudinally in a manner to leave a rim of material above and below said slots and separate a portion of the wall ofsaid finger stall into panels, said stall and panels adapted to spring and bulge to exert a tension against a dressing of resilient material forming a treatment to be held in position by said finger stall.

5. For use with an adjustably coiled finger stall and splint set, an adjustable splint attachment, an adjustably coiled finger stall and splint having a tongue integral therewith, said tongue having a shoulder at the base thereof, said tongue adapted to be inserted and spring tensioned through an oppositely disposed slot in an adjustable splint attachment comprising part of said finger stall and splint set, said tongue of said adjustably coiled finger stall and splint being formed toimpinge one side of said slot in said adjustable splint attachment and interlock said adjustably coiled finger stall and splint and said adjustable splint attachment in alignment with one another.

6. A finger stall and splint set comprising the combination of a cap, an adjustably coiled finger stall and splint having shouldered tongues attached thereto, a slotted splint attachment having slots therethrough, said cap adapted to slide over the end of said adjustably coiled finger stall and splint, said slotted splint attachment adapted to interlock with said adjustably coiled finger stall and splint having shouldered tongues attached thereto, and including additional means whereby said finger stall and splint set may be held in position without the use of external bandages. 7

'7. A finger stall and splint set, including interlocking splint members comprising a coiled finger stall, a splint member interlocked with said finger stall, said coiled finger stall and splint member having interlocking tongues and slots, said slots adapted to receive said tongues, said tongues adapted to ride on the material of one interlocking member, said tongues having a shouldered portion to impinge the material of the member having a slot therein, said member having slots therein being grooved at one side of said slots to receive said tongues and guide said tongues through said slots whereby the member constituting the coiled finger stall is interlocked with the splint member to hold both members against longitudinal and lateral movement in relation to one another.

8. For combination in a finger stall and splint set, twointerlocking members, one member having slots therein adapted to receive tongues on the other member, tongues integral with said second named member, said tongues tensioned through said slots in said first named member, said tongues having shoulders at the base thereof, said first named member having grooves therein adjacent to the slots in said member, said grooves adapted to guide the tongues on said second named member through the slots in said first named member to interlock said first named member and said second named member.

9. In combination, finger stall and splint extension members, adjustable interlocking means disposed between said first named and said second named members, said first named member beifig coiled, a retaining cap over the end of said coiled member, an adjustable retaining band surrounding said coiled member, said splint extension member having an adjustable band attached to the base thereof.

10. A finger stall-and-splint set including a retaining band comprising a strip of sheet metal having a hook at one end, the opposite end of said band being turned back against itself, slots through said band in the region with the turned back portion of said band, said turned back portion serving as a guard against the end of said hook when inserted through said slots.

11. A subcombination of the finger stall and splint set of this application, comprising a coiled splint of suitable material, a cap over the end of said coiled splint, a retaining band surrounding said coiled splint having interlocking elements to retain the same at various points of diametrical adjustment when applied to an anatomical part for use.

12. A subcombination as claimed in claim 11, including adjustment strap element disposed between the cap and the retaining band to hold said cap andretaining band in various positions of spaced relationship.

13; A subcombination as claimed in claim 4, longitudinal adjustable strap elements disposed through the slots in cap-shaped finger stall, said strap elements attached to a band surrounding an anatomical portion adjacent to the anatomical portion over which said cap is placed.

JESSE D. LANGDON. 

